SWANSEA — The elected official who has served the longest at any one position has decided not to seek re-election after more than 40 years as park commissioner.

James Carvalho, who was among the first five people elected when the Park Commission was formed in 1972, has opted not to seek re-election to a ninth, five- year term.

"I like serving on the School Committee and the Board of Health (two other boards he currently serves on) and I said before this election that if someone good takes out papers, then I would step aside," said Mr. Carvalho.

Robert Wilson has taken out nomination papers for the five- year position on the five- member board.

"He (Mr. Wilson) had heard that I might not run if someone else took out papers and asked me about it and I told him," Mr. Carvalho said. "It is good to get some new blood in there. There is a lot to do. I will miss it, we have a good board with Joe Santos, Joe Martin, Steve (Almeida) and Bruce (Sutherland)."

Mr. Carvalho was one of 11 candidates for the newly formed Park Commission in 1972. He ended up finishing fifth out of the 11, giving him a one-year seat on the board. He ran unopposed the following year to a five-year position.

In the first year, Connie Rose was the top vote getter with 2,450 with Betty Enos coming in second with 2,034, Donald `Butch' Hyland was third with 1,996 and Albert Estes fourth with 1,823 with Mr. Carvalho coming in with 1,655 for the first five-member commission.

"I was involved in the Little League and I saw some things that needed to get fixed, so I ran for the Park Commission," said Mr. Carvalho. "There was a wood fence on the first field that needed to be replaced and the dugouts were in need of repair. The reason I ran was for the kids. I was 21 at the time."

He was involved in the league for some time before his sons entered it.

"I didn't get to coach them until 15 years after I had started in the Little League," he recalled.

Shortly after being elected to the Park Commission, the barn burned down and he helped replace it.

In 1978, Mr. Carvalho ran for School Committee and lost by 34 votes, and was elected the following year and served for 18 years. After a nine-year absence, he ran again four years ago and won.

Meanwhile, work at the Park Department continued as the fields were improved, a concession stand built, another field added and a playground and tennis courts brought to the park.

"We had a lot of people who helped out," he recalled. "Cardi's (construction) was working at the KMart and they flattened out the area for the tennis courts. Can Dig It (construction) was a big help and so was Shawmut Metal and Ken Baker Sr. There were a lot of people who made it happen."

Mr.Carvalho coached 30 years in the Little League and was an umpire for another three. He also assisted in putting the lights at the football fields at Case High School.

"We received donations for that, the businesses came through," Mr. Carvlaho said.

During his time on the commission, he noted that former School Committee member Deborah Martelly approached the board with the idea of a playground in the park that was completed.

Mr. Carvalho notes that his wife Barbara has assisted.

"I tell people that she raised two great sons," he said, giving her the credit because of the amount of time he spent with town boards.

As he is stepping away as a park commissioner, Mr. Carvalho notes that there is more happening at the grounds.

"The last big project would be what to do with the house (Gardner House)," said Mr. Carvalho, "I think it may be too far gone for any (public use). I think it could be disassembled and moved by someone to save it and some type of pavilion with a picnic area and grill be put in its place for outdoor activities."

Mr. Carvalho, who is retired from the Highway Department after working there from 1981 to 2010, continues to serve on the School Committee and is chairman of the appointed Board of Health. He had also served on the Recreation Commission and Solid Waste Committee. He worked for the Swansea Water District from 1973 to 1981 before moving on the Highway Department.

"I like being on the School Committee," he said. "There are a lot of positive things happening and the board is working well together. It's all about the kids."

Still, he leaves his options open about a run for another office, particularly if there becomes an opening on the Board of Selectmen in future years.

"I love this town, I think it is going on the right path," he said. "I think it is the best town around."